WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao has recently become an associate member of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Former Parliament member and Minister Alex Rosaria emphasizes that now is the time for action. In an interview with Caribbean Network, he points out that Curaçao has been largely uninvolved with Caribbean countries over the past decades and that there is much work to be done to strengthen these ties.
While this membership offers new opportunities, Rosaria believes that Curaçao must now prove that it genuinely wants to be part of the Caribbean region. “For the past decades, we have hardly engaged with Caribbean countries. We have long looked down on the region, and now it is time to show that we care,” says Rosaria.
Instead of focusing on hard trade agreements, Rosaria advocates for collaboration in areas such as education, sports, culture, and health. “It’s about strengthening the ties. For instance, think about recognizing diplomas from Caricom islands or exchanging students. The Netherlands is far away; these are our neighbors,” he states.
Rosaria, who served as Minister of Economic Affairs and Labor for the Netherlands Antilles in 2005 and 2006 and later as a Parliament member and party leader of the Partido Adelanto i Inovashon Soshal (PAIS) between 2012 and 2016, questions whether the Curaçao government is demonstrating sufficient involvement in regional events. “Does the government express condolences when a Caribbean statesman passes away? Do we send congratulations when Jamaica wins a medal at the Olympics? In any case, that is not being communicated to the Curaçaoan population,” he notes.
He also expresses concern about the lack of information directed at the public and businesses regarding what this associate membership truly means. “What are we going to make of this membership? Who will represent us? And how will we do that? That is even more important than the costs involved. This information needs to come quickly,” emphasizes Rosaria.
As an associate member of Caricom, Curaçao does not have voting rights but can participate in discussions and submit proposals, with the exception of foreign policy issues. This is stipulated in the treaty between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Caribbean Community.
The impact of Caricom membership on Curaçao's economy remains unclear for now. Robbin Martina, chairman of the Curaçao Agency Association (BVCA), does not expect importers to notice changes in the short term. “Caricom’s actions seem primarily focused on policy. The question is how this will translate into the various sectors,” he suggests. Nevertheless, he sees potential for lowering import barriers, which could be beneficial for businesses on the island.